Vidic: Sport can change the image of Serbia

Posted on | Saturday, July 30, 2011 | No Comments

Nemanja Vidic is confident that the power of sport can help change the perception of Serbia.

At least 130,000 people died in the former Yugoslavia was shattered by the war between Serbs, Croats, Muslims and Albanians in the 1990s.

The arrest and subsequent trial of the former military chief Ratko Mladic, the Bosnian Serbs for crimes against humanity for years has reopened some old wounds, while the arrest of Goran Hadzic guerrilla leader last week was yet another reminder of a chapter in the history of the Balkans horrible.

Serbia has struggled to shake the stereotypical aggressive, and their supporters have hardly helped by violent scenes on a number matching, including a Euro 2012 qualifier in Italy in October last year that had to be abandoned.

But given the opportunity to test their skills in tennis and his compatriot Viktor Troicki in front of Legg Mason Classic, which begins next week in Washington, Vidic expressed his belief that sport can be a force for good.

His own status as Manchester United skipper help, but Serbia Davis Cup victory, thanks to the exploits of Troicki, Janko Tipsarevic, Nenad Zimonjic and three-time Grand Slam winner and current world number one Novak Djokovic, has made it even more.

"A good tennis player and win the Davis Cup comes people to speak positively of Serbia," said Vidic.

"For a long time, Serbia has not had a great reputation, but in the last five years, athletes have gone through and represent the country in the right way.

"Sport brings people together. It 'the same, if England do something right. When you're playing for your country, in front of the ticket is the best moment of your life.

"It's also a great responsibility, so you have to represent your country on track."

Vidic has certainly done that in the five years since he joined United in a case of £ 7,000,000 from Spartak Moscow.

It remains one of Sir Alex Ferguson Vidic canniest pieces of transfer business development is now firmly established as one of the best central defenders in the world.

It also has a turning circle to the United States to defend the title, the first time they meet a small thing is to take Manchester City Community Shield at Wembley next Sunday.

A meeting with Barcelona at night in Washington will not be a five-match American tour, and there are a couple of tasks to complete mid-week before taking on the New York Cosmos in the statements of Paul Scholes on August 5

After that, it's a city where Vidic preparations have gone well so far pleased.

"We are ready," said the 29-year-olds.

"We worked well here and have a few more games before the city. I'm sure we'll be good for the start of the season."